CHECK OUT – Phrasal Verb
What is the Meaning of
CHECK OUT?
check out
Definition 1
to stop at the front desk, or cash register of a hotel, library, or large store so they can finalize your transactions
Examples:
1. When we checked out, we saw that the hotel had billed us $150 for phone calls!
2. You can check out 20 books from the library each week.
3. Can I pay for my cosmetics here or do I need to check out at the front?
Note: In stores, this is commonly used as a noun. (e.g., You will have to take your cosmetics to the front checkout.)
check someone/something out
check out someone/something
Definition 2
get more information, or to look at someone or something, especially so that you can form an opinion
Sometimes this phrasal verb is used in a very informal way. See examples 3 and 4.
Examples
1. The loans officer said, “We will check out your credit history and if there are no problems with it, then we can finalize your loan next week.”
2. I think you should check out the facts before you repeat that story.
3. Check out these muscles.
4. There are three new guys in our class. I’m going to go and check them out.
| present – | CHECK OUT |
| present participle – | CHECKING OUT |
| past – | CHECKED OUT |
| past participle – | CHECKED OUT |
